The Cleveland Pulse

What happens when the system gets it wrong — and a man still finds a way to rebuild, love, and thrive?In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Charles “Sweet Man” Jackson, an exoneree who spent 27 years, 6 months, and 20 days incarcerated for crimes he says he did not commit. What follows is a powerful conversation about wrongful conviction, faith, survival, exoneration, and what it means to come home and build a meaningful life after the unimaginable.Charles “Sweet Man” Jackson shares how his case moved forward through the Ohio Innocence Project, how withheld records and witness issues helped unravel the conviction, and why he chose to stay the course until he was fully exonerated. But this episode is about more than the injustice. It is also about restoration. Charles talks about marriage, family, entrepreneurship, writing his book, and building a future rooted in peace instead of bitterness.You’ll also hear about his new chapter as a business owner with Sweet Rice Classic Custards in Euclid, his advice for the next generation, and why keeping good people around you matters. This is a Cleveland story about endurance, accountability, community, and the human cost of a system that too often asks questions too late.If you care about Cleveland community advocacy, civil rights, justice reform, second chances, reentry, and Black leadership in Cleveland, this is a conversation worth hearing. It is honest, human, and rooted in the belief that people are bigger than the labels placed on them.

What does it take to build a school from the ground up in Cleveland? In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Dr. Luciana Gilmore. She is an educator, entrepreneur, community advocate, and founder of Ford Girls Leadership Academy. Edwin and Dr GIlmore sit for a powerful conversation about purpose, faith, and creating equitable opportunities for Black girls in Cleveland.Dr. Luciana Gilmore shares her journey from more than 25 years in education to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, completing her doctorate, and turning a long-held vision into a real school set to open in August 2026. She also reflects on the inspiration behind Brown Boy Joy, the importance of positive self-image, and why Cleveland needs greater access to high-quality, affordable educational spaces for girls.This episode explores what it means to lead with conviction, build something bigger than yourself, and create pathways for the next generation. If you care about Cleveland community advocacy, economic equity in Ohio, Black leadership in Cleveland, civil rights, education access, and civic engagement, this conversation delivers both inspiration and a real call to action.You’ll hear:Dr. Gilmore’s roots in CMSD and her path into educationThe leap from principal to entrepreneurHow Brown Boy Joy grew into a national storyWhy Ford Girls Leadership Academy matters for Cleveland familiesThe vision for mentoring, family partnership, and student leadershipHow the community can support through mentorship, donations, and advocacyThis is a conversation for the doers—people who believe Cleveland’s future gets stronger when we invest in young Black leaders now.

In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Dayja Smith, Cleveland entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of Coco’s Crown, for a real conversation about Black beauty, hair identity, entrepreneurship, and creating access where it does not already exist.Dayja Smith shares how growing up in Cleveland shaped her hustle, how her background in science helped her build a natural hair care brand, and why healthy products made for us still matter. From launching Coco’s Crown to leading through consulting, coworking, and community impact, Dayja Smith breaks down what it means to be a multifaceted Black millennial professional in Northeast Ohio.This episode also goes deeper than business. Edwin and Dayja talk about the emotional and cultural meaning of Black hair, how identity and confidence are tied to self-expression, and why conversations around the CROWN Act, colorism, and acceptance still matter in Cleveland and beyond. They also explore how organizations like the Urban League help build opportunity for the next generation.If you care about Cleveland community advocacy, economic equity in Ohio, Black leadership in Cleveland, and practical conversations around identity, ownership, and community, this episode is for you.What you’ll hear in this episode:Dayja Smith’s Cleveland roots and entrepreneurial journey  The story behind Coco’s Crown and why she created it  Why Black hair is more than style—it is identity, culture, and confidence  Reflections on the CROWN Act and access in professional spaces  Honest conversation about colorism, “good hair,” and Black self-image  Why pouring into the next generation matters  How Dayja Smith is building community through leadership and service Listen now and tap into a conversation centered on Cleveland civic engagement, Black identity, and the power of building something for us, by us.

What does it really take to bridge the gap between generations in Cleveland?In this episode of Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Kayla Lowery, a Cleveland native, Bowie State University graduate, and emerging voice in civic engagement, for a grounded conversation on youth leadership, Black identity, HBCU culture, and why coming back home matters.Kayla shares how her early exposure to community work, family history, and the justice system shaped her understanding of civic responsibility. From learning what the NAACP actually does on a college campus to seeing how advocacy can influence policy, this episode offers a clear look at how young Black leaders are building power with purpose. The conversation also explores the value of HBCUs as spaces where Black students can grow, lead, and find real community; the importance of trusted information in a world driven by algorithms; and what it means to educate, sustain, and stay connected to the people around you. Kayla’s perspective is thoughtful, practical, and deeply rooted in Cleveland. This episode is for the doers. For Black Clevelanders, community builders, young professionals, educators, and anyone asking how we move from conversation to action.Why this episode matters: It speaks directly to Cleveland civic engagement through a generational lens.  It highlights how young leaders connect civil rights, community advocacy, and personal responsibility.  It reinforces the role of education, culture, and community in building long-term power. Listen in for a conversation about Cleveland community advocacy, Black leadership in Cleveland, economic equity in Ohio, and how the next generation is shaping the future right now.

Cleveland is a city of legacy, but too many of our families are forced to rebuild from scratch every generation. In this power-packed session of the Cleveland Pulse Podcast, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with East Cleveland’s own Warren Lambertson Jr. to dismantle the myths surrounding life insurance and financial planning.For the "Millennial Mover" in their 30s, life insurance isn't just about a death benefit—it’s about living benefits. We explore how Clevelanders can use permanent policies as tax-advantaged assets to buy homes, start businesses, and fund educations right here in our neighborhoods. Warren shares the raw, personal story of losing his father at 42 to colon cancer and how a single "checked box" on a blue-collar job application changed his entire life’s trajectory.Why this matters for Cleveland: Economic equity in Ohio begins with financial literacy. We discuss the historical impact of figures like Cirillo McSween, the first African American financial advisor at a major firm and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s treasurer, who used insurance to fund the Civil Rights Movement. Whether you are navigating the gig economy or establishing your career in Cuyahoga County, understanding the difference between "renting" (term) and "owning" (permanent) your coverage is the key to neighborhood stability and Black leadership in Cleveland.Key Topics Covered:The reality of "Geriatric Millennial" planning.How your health—not your money—buys your insurance.The link between the CROWN Act, family trusts, and workplace freedom.Breaking the "Selfish Monster" mindset to leave an asset, not a bill.Become a member of the Cleveland NAACP and power the pulse of our city

What happens when the "pulse" of a community meets the rigid, often violent structures of the legal system? In this episode of The Cleveland Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Ayesha Bell Hardaway, a distinguished Law Professor at Case Western Reserve University and a relentless advocate for social justice. Together, they pull back the curtain on the "prison-industrial complex", a system Professor Hardaway argues is simply "slavery with another name".Professor Hardaway shares her journey from a law student at Case Western during a time when Black civil rights experts were rare to becoming a full professor specializing in the Black experience in America, policing, and community safety. We dive into her early, pioneering research on reparations, written long before it became a mainstream conversation—and why she was initially encouraged not to write on the topic.This conversation is a wake-up call for Clevelanders and all Black Americans. We discuss the disproportionate impact of racism on our families and why the current carceral system says more about the "ugly side of our own humanity" on the outside than those on the inside. Professor Hardaway also breaks down the dangers of "Andy’s Law" in Ohio and why removing higher education and contact visits from high-security inmates is a recipe for disaster rather than safety.Finally, we discuss the urgent mission to secure the physical freedom of Keith Lamar, a Clevelander who has been on death row for over 30 years following the 1993 Lucasville prison uprising, a case Professor Hardaway is fighting to resolve before his January 2027 death date.Why this matters to Cleveland: Our city is better when our brilliant minds are at home, not behind bars. From the deindustrialization of rural Ohio to the "trap" of valuing material goods over our own lives, this episode is about reclaiming our power and protecting our neighbors.

Cleveland isn’t just where we live...it’s where we build, and Councilman Richard Starr is here to show us the blueprint. Host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Ward 5’s own Richard A. Starr to dismantle the myth that the White House holds more sway over your daily life than City Hall. If you’ve ever wondered why your street hasn’t been paved, why a dilapidated building is still standing on your block, or where the millions in city resources actually go, this conversation is for you. Councilman Starr, a "mighty scarab" and East Tech graduate who rose from the Boys and Girls Club to the halls of government, pulls back the curtain on the three branches of local government and how they dictate the quality of life for Black Clevelanders. From securing $300 million for neighborhood development to launching home repair grants with no income restrictions, Starr proves that when we participate, we win. In this episode, we dig into:The Power of the Purse: Why Council members are the true "lawmakers" of Cleveland and how they set the city budget. Neighborhood Deliverables: The reality behind demolishing 88 nuisance properties and resurfacing major arteries like Carnegie and E. 79th. The Census Crisis: How a gap of only 3,200 people cost Cleveland two city council seats and vital federal funding. Economic Equity: The details on new job creation starting at $23/hr and the push for food cooperatives to end food deserts. This isn’t just politics. It's about the economic equity and civic engagement required to move Ward 5 and the entire city of Cleveland, Ohio forward. Whether you are a millennial homeowner or a young leader ready to intern, it’s time to stop making excuses and start leveraging the local officials who work for you.

The Last Line of Defense: Saving Public Education with Meryl JohnsonThe battle between public and private education isn't just about "choice"—it's about the future of our democracy. In this powerful episode of The Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Meryl Johnson, a 40-year veteran educator, former State Board of Education member, and Chair of the Cleveland NAACP Education Committee.With four decades in the classroom and eight years on the front lines of state policy, Meryl pulls back the curtain on the "systemic dismantling" of Ohio's public schools. We discuss:The School Funding Crisis: Why the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled our funding system unconstitutional four times—and why your zip code still determines your child's future.The Voucher Myth: A history lesson on how "school choice" evolved from a promise to help low-income families into a billion-dollar subsidy for private institutions.Christian Nationalism in Schools: The truth about LifeWise and the movement to take children out of core classes for religious indoctrination..The "Woke" Reality: Why staying "woke" is a positive, necessary act of survival in a climate of book bans and censored history.As Merle says, uneducated people are easy to control.. This conversation is a call to action for every "Millennial Mover" in Cleveland to protect the last line of defense: our local school boards.Become a member of the Cleveland NAACP and power the pulse of our city at clevelandnaacp.org

 Cleveland is a city rich in Black history, but are we truly celebrating and owning our culture? In this episode of The Pulse, host Edwin Hubbard Jr. sits down with Leah Hudnall, owner of The Legacy Perspective, to discuss the critical intersection of storytelling, social justice, and civic identity.Leah shares her journey from Southeast Cleveland to the halls of Howard University, and how personal loss fueled her mission to capture the "salacious, daring, and loving" stories of her elders before they are lost to time. We dive deep into:The "Legacy Perspective": Why documenting your family’s journey is a radical act of social justice.Cleveland’s Cultural Deficit: A candid critique of why Clevelanders often have to leave the city to have a "good Black time" and how we can demand better.Relay Cleveland: A look at Leah's public history campaign chronicling the 50th anniversary of school desegregation in Cleveland and why it matters to every resident today.Civic Responsibility: Moving beyond "angry Black woman" tropes to find your unique role in the movement—whether you’re a writer, a lawyer, or a community organizer.If you’ve ever felt like an outsider in your own city or wondered how to preserve your family's legacy, this conversation is your blueprint.Become a member of the Cleveland NAACP and power the pulse of our city at clevelandnaacp.org.